thein sein received the news from hillary clinton during a visit to the united states. >> reporter: to attend the u.n. general semibly. secretary of state hillary clinton told him that the obama administration would begin easing its ban on imports from myanmar. >> in recognition of the continued progress toward reform and in response to requests from both the government and the opposition, united states is taking the next step in normalizing our commercial relationship. >> reporter: he expressed his gratitude and said the people of myanmar would be happy that economic restrictions are being eased. clinton made a point of reminding him the division of aung san suu kyi. she visited the u.s. earlier this month for the first time since her release from the house arrest in november 2010. she and clinton together gave a lecture in washington calling for more investment in education and health care in myanmar. obama administration is expected to seek congressional approval to ease sanction while also monitoring the progress of myanmar's democratic reforms. myanmar is home to 60 million people